Encoded information reading terminal with user-configurable multi-protocol wireless communication interface

ABSTRACT

An apparatus may include a microprocessor and a wireless communication interface configured to perform at least one of receiving a first radio signal or transmitting a second radio signal. The microprocessor may be configured to execute at least one of a base-band encoder software program or a base-band decoder software program. The apparatus may be further configured to execute a wireless communication protocol selector software program that may be configured to optimize a value of a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least one of a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol, and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/560,043 filed Dec. 4, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/199,120 filed Mar. 6, 2014, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/430,121 filed Mar.26, 2012 which is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/567,158 filed Sep. 25, 2009. The above applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally related to encoded information reading (EIR)terminals and is specifically related to an EIR terminal comprising amulti-protocol wireless communication interface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Encoded information reading (EIR) terminals equipped with wirelesscommunication interfaces are widely used in retail stores, shippingfacilities, etc. While wireless communication of EIR terminals offersmany advantages as compared to wired communications, traditionalwireless communication interfaces have noticeable shortcomings, e.g., byfailing to support more than one communication protocol and/or standard.

Accordingly, there is a need for further advances in EIR terminals andsystems which would support multiple communication protocols andstandards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, there is provided an encoded information reading(EIR) terminal comprising a microprocessor electrically coupled to asystem bus, a memory communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, anencoded information reading (EIR) device, and a wireless communicationinterface.

The EIR device can be selected from the group consisting of a bar codereading device, an RFID reading device, and a card reading device. TheEIR device can be configured to perform outputting raw message datacontaining an encoded message and/or outputting decoded message datacorresponding to an encoded message.

The wireless communication interface can comprise a radio frequencyfront end configured to perform receiving a first radio signal and/ortransmitting a second radio signal. The radio frequency front end can beelectrically coupled to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) which canbe electrically coupled to the system bus and/or to a digital-to-analogconverter (DAC) which can be electrically coupled to the system bus.

The microprocessor can be configured to execute a base-band encodersoftware program and/or a base-band decoder software program. Thebase-band encoder software program can be configured to produce a firstencoded bit stream by performing at least one of the followingfunctions: source encoding of a first bit stream, encryption, channelencoding, multiplexing, modulation, frequency spreading, and mediaaccess control. The DAC can be configured to output to the radiofrequency front end an analog signal corresponding to the first encodedbit stream.

The ADC can be configured to output a second encoded bit streamcorresponding to an analog signal produced by the radio frequency frontend. The base-band decoder software program can be configured to producea second bit stream corresponding to the second encoded bit stream byperforming at least one of the following functions: media accesscontrol, frequency de-spreading, de-modulation, de-multiplexing, channeldecoding, decryption, and source decoding.

In another embodiment, there is provided an encoded information readingterminal comprising a microprocessor electrically coupled to a systembus, a memory communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, an encodedinformation reading (EIR) device, and a wireless communicationinterface.

The EIR device can be selected from the group consisting of a bar codereading device, an RFID reading device, and a card reading device. TheEIR device can be configured to perform outputting raw message datacontaining an encoded message and/or outputting decoded message datacorresponding to an encoded message.

The wireless communication interface can comprise an RF front endconfigured to perform receiving a first radio signal and/or transmittinga second radio signal. The RF front can be end electrically coupled toan analog-to-digital converter (ADC) which can be electrically coupledto the system bus and/or to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) whichcan be electrically coupled to the system bus.

The EIR terminal can be configured to execute a wireless communicationprotocol selector software program, which can optimize a value of auser-defined criterion in order to dynamically select a wirelesscommunication network, a wireless communication protocol, and/or aparameter of a wireless communication protocol.

In another embodiment, there is provided an encoded information readingterminal comprising a microprocessor electrically coupled to a systembus, a memory communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, an encodedinformation reading (EIR) device, and a wireless communicationinterface.

The EIR device can be selected from the group consisting of a bar codereading device, an RFID reading device, and a card reading device. TheEIR device can be configured to perform outputting raw message datacontaining an encoded message and/or outputting decoded message datacorresponding to an encoded message.

The wireless communication interface can comprise an RF front endconfigured to perform receiving a first radio signal and/or transmittinga second radio signal. The RF front can be end electrically coupled toan analog-to-digital converter (ADC) which can be electrically coupledto the system bus and/or to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) whichcan be electrically coupled to the system bus.

The EIR terminal can be configured to dynamically select a wirelesscommunication network, a wireless communication protocol, and/or aparameter of a wireless communication protocol responsive a user actionand/or to scanning a pre-defined bar code.

In another embodiment, there is provided an encoded information readingterminal comprising a microprocessor electrically coupled to a systembus, a memory communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, an encodedinformation reading (EIR) device, and a wireless communication interfaceconfigured to support at least two wireless communication protocols.

The EIR device can be selected from the group consisting of a bar codereading device, an RFID reading device, and a card reading device. TheEIR device can be configured to perform outputting raw message datacontaining an encoded message and/or outputting decoded message datacorresponding to an encoded message.

The EIR terminal can be configured to execute a wireless communicationprotocol selector software program, which can optimize a value of auser-defined criterion in order to dynamically select a wirelesscommunication network, a wireless communication protocol, and/or aparameter of a wireless communication protocol.

In a further embodiment, there is provided an encoded informationreading terminal comprising a microprocessor electrically coupled to asystem bus, a memory communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, anencoded information reading (EIR) device, and a wireless communicationinterface configured to support at least two wireless communicationprotocols.

The EIR device can be selected from the group consisting of a bar codereading device, an RFID reading device, and a card reading device. TheEIR device can be configured to perform outputting raw message datacontaining an encoded message and/or outputting decoded message datacorresponding to an encoded message.

The EIR terminal can be configured to dynamically select a wirelesscommunication network, a wireless communication protocol, and/or aparameter of a wireless communication protocol responsive a user actionand/or to scanning a pre-defined bar code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspectsof one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should beunderstood that the present invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a network level layout of a data collection systememploying DR terminal according to the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a functional layout of a wireless communicationinterface;

FIG. 3 depicts a component level layout of an EIR terminal according tothe invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates the functions of the base-band encoder softwareprogram according to the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates the functions of the base-band encoder softwareprogram according to the invention;

FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate an exemplary hand held EIR terminal housing;

FIGS. 7a-7c illustrate an exemplary portable and remountable EIRterminal housing;

FIG. 8a illustrates a first exemplary deployment of an EIR terminalaccording to the invention within a retail store;

FIG. 8b illustrates a second exemplary deployment of an EIR terminalaccording to the invention within a retail store;

FIGS. 8c and 8d illustrate PIN and signature data entry operationalmodes of an EIR terminal according to the invention.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generallybeing placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In thedrawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout thevarious views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There is provided an encoded information reading (EIR) terminal forincorporation in a data collection system. The data collection system,schematically shown in FIG. 1, can include a plurality of EIR terminals100 a-100 z in communication with a plurality of interconnected networks110 a-110 z. In one aspect, the plurality of networks 110 a-110 z caninclude at least one IEEE 802.11 conformant wireless network. In anotheraspect, an EIR terminal 100 a can be in communication with at least onewireless device over Bluetooth™ wireless communication protocol. In afurther aspect, the plurality of networks 110 a-110 z can include atleast one GSM wireless network. In a further aspect, the plurality ofnetworks 110 a-110 z can include at least one CDMA wireless network.Still further, the plurality of networks 110 a-110 z can include atleast one 3G wireless network, e.g., UMTS, HSUPA/HSDPA, or CDMA2000EvDO.In another aspect, the plurality of networks 110 a-110 z can include atleast one 4G wireless network, e.g., LTE, UWB, or 802.16m (WiMax). Askilled artisan would appreciate the fact that wireless networksimplementing other wireless communication protocols are within thespirit and the scope of the invention.

In one aspect, an EIR terminal can comprise a wireless communicationinterface. The EIR terminal 100 c can establish a communication sessionwith the host computer 171. In one embodiment, network frames can beexchanged by the EIR terminal 100 c and the host computer 171 via one ormore routers, base stations, and other infrastructure elements. Inanother embodiment, the host computer 171 can be reachable by the EIRterminal 100 c via a local area network (LAN). In a yet anotherembodiment, the host computer 171 can be reachable by the EIR terminal100 c via a wide area network (WAN). A skilled artisan would appreciatethe fact that other methods of providing interconnectivity between theEIR terminal 100 c and the host computer 171 relying upon LANs, WANs,virtual private networks (VPNs), and/or other types of network arewithin the spirit and the scope of the invention.

In a further aspect, the wireless communication interface can beconfigured to support at least two wireless communication protocols. Inone embodiment, the wireless communication interface can be configuredto support HSPA/GSM/GPRS/EDGE protocol family and CDMA/EV-DO protocolfamily. A skilled artisan would appreciate the fact that wirelesscommunication interfaces supporting other communication protocols arewithin the spirit and the scope of the invention.

In one embodiment, the communications between the EIR terminal 100 c andthe host computer 171 can comprise a series of HTTP requests andresponses transmitted over one or more TCP connections, although aperson skilled in the art would appreciate the fact that using othertransport and application level protocols is within the scope and thespirit of the invention.

In one aspect, at least one of the messages transmitted by the EIRterminal can include decoded message data corresponding to, e.g., a barcode label or an RFID label attached to a product or to a shipment item.For example, an EIR terminal can transmit a request to the host computerto retrieve product information corresponding to a product identifierencoded by a bar code label attached to the product, or to transmit anitem tracking record for an item identified by a bar code label attachedto the product.

A wireless communication interface 210 best viewed in FIG. 2, cancomprise a transmitter circuit 220 electrically coupled to a data source221. The transmitter circuit 220 can be implemented by one or morespecialized microchips, and can perform the following functions: sourceencoding 223, encryption 226, channel encoding 229, multiplexing 232,modulation 235, and frequency spreading 238.

The wireless communication interface 210 of FIG. 2 can further comprisea receiver circuit 250 electrically coupled to the data sink 271. Thereceiver circuit 250 can be implemented by one or more specializedmicrochips, and can perform the following functions: frequencyde-spreading 253, demodulation 256, de-multiplexing 259, channeldecoding 262, decryption 265, and source decoding 268.

Each of the transmitter circuit 220 and receiver circuit 250 can beelectrically coupled to a radio frequency (RF) front end 299. The RFfront end 299 can be used to convert high frequency RF signals to/frombase-band or intermediate frequency signals. A skilled artisan wouldappreciate the fact that RF front ends of different data rates,sensitivities, output powers, operating frequencies, and measurementresolutions are within the scope and spirit of the invention.

On the receiving side, the RF front-end 299 can include all filters,low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), and down-conversion mixer(s) needed toprocess modulated RF signals received by the antenna into based-bandsignals. In one embodiment, the receiving part of the RF front end 299can comprise one or more of the following components:

-   -   a first matching circuit to transfer to the next stage the        energy received by the antenna;    -   a band-pass filter (BPF) to knock down out-of-band jammers;    -   a second matching circuit at the input of a low-noise amplifier        (LNA);    -   the LNA, the primary responsibility of which is to set the        sensitivity of the receiver, by providing a high gain;    -   a third matching circuit between the LNA output and the receive        (RX) mixer (down-converter);    -   the down-conversion RX mixer.

On the transmitting side, the RF frond-end area can be described as a“mirrored” version of a receiver. The front end of a transmitter upconverts an outgoing base-band signal and then feeds the signal to ahigh power amplifier. A skilled artisan would appreciate the fact thatother ways of implementing the RF front end are within the spirit andthe scope of the invention.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the wireless communicationinterface supporting at least two wireless communication protocols canbe implemented using a single dual-protocol (or multi-protocol) chipset.The chipset can include integrated circuits (ICs), application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), and/or other components providing thenecessary functionality.

In another embodiment, the wireless communication interface supportingat least two wireless communication protocols can be implemented usingtwo or more chipsets. Each of the chipsets can include integratedcircuits (ICs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and/orother components providing the necessary functionality.

In a yet another embodiment, at least some of the functions of thetransmitter circuit and the receiver circuit can be advantageouslyperformed by one or more software programs executed by a microprocessor.In one embodiment the EIR terminal 100 can comprise at least onemicroprocessor 310 and a memory 320, both coupled to the system bus 370,as best viewed in FIG. 3.

The microprocessor 310 can be provided by a general purposemicroprocessor or by a specialized microprocessor (e.g., an ASIC). Inone embodiment, the EIR terminal 100 can comprise a singlemicroprocessor which can be referred to as a central processing unit(CPU) and which can perform at least some of the functions of thetransmitter circuit and the receiver circuit. In another embodiment, theEIR terminal 100 can comprise two or more microprocessors; for example,a CPU providing some or most of the EIR functionality and a specializedmicroprocessor performing some of the functions of the transmittercircuit and the receiver circuit. A skilled artisan would appreciate thefact that different schemes of processing tasks distribution among thetwo or more microprocessors are within the spirit and the scope of theinvention.

The EIR terminal 100 can further comprise one or more encodedinformation reading (EIR) devices 330, including a bar code readingdevice, an RFID reading device, and a card reading device, also coupledto the system bus 370. In one embodiment, an EIR reading device can becapable of outputting decoded message data corresponding to an encodedmessage. In another embodiment, the EIR reading device can output rawmessage data containing an encoded message, e.g., raw image data or rawRFID data.

Of course, devices that read bar codes, read RFID, or read cards bearingencoded information may read more than one of these categories whileremaining within the scope of the invention. For example, a device thatreads bar codes may include a card reader, and/or RFID reader; a devicethat reads RFID may also be able to read bar codes and/or cards; and adevice that reads cards may be able to also read bar codes and/or RFID.For further clarity, it is not necessary that a device's primaryfunction involve any of these functions in order to be considered such adevice; for example, a cellular telephone, smartphone, or PDA that iscapable of reading bar codes is a device that reads bar codes forpurposes of the present invention

The EIR terminal 100 can further comprise a keyboard interface 354 and adisplay adapter 355, both also coupled to the system bus 370. The EIRterminal 100 can further comprise a battery 356.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal 100 can further comprise an RFfront end 340. In a further aspect, the EIR terminal 100 can furthercomprise an analog-to-digital (ADC) converter 350, the input of whichcan be electrically coupled to the RF front end 340. The choice of ADCcan be determined by the receiver architecture, and can depend upon theselectivity of the filters, the dynamic range afforded by the front-endamplifiers, and the bandwidth and type of modulation to be processed.For example, the level or dynamic range of signals expected to bepresented to the ADC will dictate the bit resolution needed for theconverter. An ADC can also be specified in terms of its spurious-freedynamic range (SFDR). The ADC's sensitivity can be influenced bywideband noise, including spurious noise, and can be improved throughthe use of an anti-aliasing filter at the input of the ADC to eliminatesampling of noise and high-frequency spurious products. To avoidaliasing when converting analog signals to the digital domain, the ADCsampling frequency must be at least twice the maximum frequency of theinput analog signal. This minimum sampling condition derived fromNyquist's theorem, must be met in order to capture enough informationabout the input analog waveform to reconstruct it accurately. Inaddition to selecting an ADC for IF or baseband sampling, the choice ofbuffer amplifier to feed the input of the converter can affect theperformance possible with a given sampling scheme. The buffer amplifiershould provide the rise/fall time and transient response to preserve themodulation information of the IF or base-band signals, while alsoproviding the good amplitude accuracy and flatness needed to providesignal amplitudes at an optimum input level to the ADC for sampling.

In another embodiment, the EIR terminal 100 can further comprise adigital-to-analog (DAC) converter 360, the output of which can beelectrically coupled to the RF front end 340. In a further aspect, a DACcan be viewed as a component providing a function reversed to that of anADC.

In a further aspect, the output of the ADC 350, and the input of the DAC360 can be electrically coupled to a system bus 370. A skilled artisanwould appreciate the fact that other microprocessors, memory, and/orperipheral devices can be electrically coupled to the system bus 370without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention.

In another aspect, the microprocessor 310 can execute a base-bandencoder software program which can encode a bit stream which needs to betransmitted over a wireless medium. The encoded bit stream outputted bythe base-band encoder software program can be fed to the input of theDAC 360. The analog signal representative of the encoded bit stream canbe outputted by the DAC 360 to the RF front end 340 in order to betransmitted over a wireless medium.

In one embodiment, the base-band encoder software program 400 canperform at least one of the following functions schematically shown inFIG. 4: source encoding 410 of a bit stream 405, encryption 420, channelencoding 430, multiplexing 440, modulation 450, frequency spreading 460,and media access control 470. In one embodiment, the remaining functions(i.e., those not implemented by the base-band encoder software program)can be implemented by one or more dedicated hardware components.

In one aspect, the source encoding function 410 can be provided by aprocess of encoding information using a different number of bits (orother information bearing units) than an un-encoded representation woulduse, through use of specific encoding schemes.

In another aspect, the encryption function 420 can be implemented byusing an algorithm (cipher) suitable to transform an unencrypted (“plaintext”) information stream to an encrypted information stream.

In a further aspect, the channel encoding function 430 can be providedby a process suitable to encode the transmitted information stream intoa form, which would allow guaranteed reliable information transmissionat a rate close to the maximum channel capacity. According to theShannon theorem, for a given bandwidth and signal-to-noisy ratio, thetheoretical maximum channel capacity (reliable information transferrate) for a particular noise level is defined by the following equation:

$C = {B\; {{\log_{2}\left( {1 + \frac{S}{N}} \right)}.}}$

For any information transmission rate R<C, there exists an encodingscheme that would allow the probability of errors at the receiver to bemade less than a pre-defined value ε. The channel encoding function 430can select and/or implement an encoding scheme for a pre-defined valueof ε.

In a further aspect, the multiplexing function 440 can be employed tocombine multiple signals or data streams into one signal transmittedover a shared physical transmission medium (wireless channel). Themultiplexing function 440 can implement one or more of the multiplexingtechnologies including TDMA (Time division multiple access), FDMA(Frequency division multiple access), CDMA (Code division multipleaccess), CSMA (Carrier sense multiple access), etc.

In a further aspect, the frequency spreading function 460 can implementone or more of the following technologies: DSSS (Direct Sequence SpreadSpectrum), FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum), and OFDM(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing).

In a further aspect, the media access control function 470 can provideaddressing and channel access control mechanisms.

In another aspect, the RF front end 340 can output to the ADC 350 ananalog signal representative of a signal received over the wirelessmedium. The ADC 350 can output a digital signal representative of theanalog signal outputted by the RF front end 340. The microprocessor 310can execute a base-band decoder software program which can input thedigital signal outputted by the ADC 350 and can decode the digitalsignal into a form suitable for further processing by other softwareprograms.

In a further aspect, the base-band decoder software program 500 canperform at least at least one of the following functions schematicallyshown in FIG. 5: media access control 510, frequency de-spreading 520,de-modulation 530, de-multiplexing 540 the analog signal, channeldecoding 560, decryption 570, and source decoding 580. In oneembodiment, the remaining functions (i.e., those not implemented by thebase-band decoder software program) can be implemented by one or morededicated hardware components.

In one aspect, each of the frequency de-spreading 520, de-modulation530, de-multiplexing 540, channel decoding 560, decryption 570, andsource decoding 580 functions can be implemented as a reverse functionof the frequency spreading 460, modulation 450, multiplexing 440,channel encoding 430, encryption 420, source encoding 410 functions,respectively.

In another aspect, the base-band encoder software program can beimplemented as two or more software programs. In another aspect, thebase-band decoder software program can be implemented as two or moresoftware programs. In a further aspect, the base-band encoder softwareprogram and the base-band decoder software program can be implemented asa single software program.

In another aspect, due to advantageously performing at least some of thesource bit stream encoding functions by a software program, the EIRterminal 100 can be devoid of dedicated hardware components configuredto implement at least one of the following functions: source encoding ofsaid first bit stream, encryption, channel encoding, multiplexing,modulation, frequency spreading, and media access control.

In another aspect, due to advantageously performing at least some of theanalog signal decoding functions by a software program, the EIR terminal100 can be devoid of dedicated hardware components configured toimplement at least one of the following functions: media access control,frequency de-spreading, de-modulation, de-multiplexing, channeldecoding, decryption, and source decoding.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal 100 can be configured todynamically select a wireless communication network, a wirelesscommunication protocol, or one or more parameters of the wirelesscommunication protocol (e.g., frequency or transmission power) to beused by the RF front end 340.

Due to its ability to dynamically select a wireless communicationnetwork and a wireless communication protocol, the EIR terminal 100according to the present invention can be advantageously used, e.g., bya company operating in several geographies with different wirelesscommunication standards. Using the EIR terminal 100 according to thepresent invention would allow such a company to deploy the same EIRterminal 100 model in all the geographies.

In one embodiment, selection of a wireless communication network, awireless communication protocol, or one or more parameters of a wirelesscommunication protocol can be performed manually by the user of the EIRterminal 100. In one embodiment, the selection can be performed byscanning a pre-defined bar code. In another embodiment, the selectioncan be performed by the user interacting with the user interface (e.g.,via a graphical user interface (GUI), or via a hardware-implementedcontrol). A skilled artisan would appreciate the fact that other methodsof manually selecting a wireless communication network, a wirelesscommunication protocol, or one or more parameters of the wirelesscommunication protocol are within the scope and the spirit of theinvention.

In another embodiment, selection of a wireless communication network, awireless communication protocol, or one or more parameters of thewireless communication protocol can be performed by a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program executed by the EIRterminal 100. The wireless communication protocol selector softwareprogram can optimize a value of a user-defined criterion.

In one embodiment, the value of the user-defined criterion can becalculated based on one or more of the following parameters: frequencyrange, network status, signal strength, service cost, communicationchannel throughput, and user preferences. The user preferences can berepresented, e.g., by network preference, service preference, protocolpreference, or frequency preference. A skilled artisan would appreciatethe fact that other types of user preferences are within the spirit andthe scope of the invention.

In one embodiment, the value of the user-defined criterion can becalculated as a weighted sum of components each of which is representedby either a parameter itself (e.g., the signal strength) or a differencebetween the value of a parameter and the desired value of the parameter(e.g., communication channel throughput). In another embodiment, thevalue of the user-defined criterion can be calculated as a square rootof a weighted sum of squares of components each of which is representedby either a parameter itself (e.g., the signal strength) or a differencebetween the value of a parameter and the desired value of the parameter(e.g., communication channel throughput). A skilled artisan wouldappreciate the fact that other methods of calculating the user-definedcriterion value are within the scope and spirit of the invention.

For example, if a user is more concerned about the cost than about othercommunication parameters, the user would want the user-defined criterionto yield the cheapest covered service provider (while the bandwidth,frequency range, and/or network protocol can possibly be secondaryfactors affecting the service provider and/or network selection). Inanother example, if a user is more concerned about the signal qualitythan about other communication parameters, the user would want theuser-defined criterion to yield the network with best quality (while thecost can be a secondary factor affecting the service provider and/ornetwork selection). In a yet another example, if a user is moreconcerned about maintaining uninterrupted communication session thanabout other communication parameters, the user would want theuser-defined criterion to yield the network with best connectionreliability (while the bandwidth, frequency range, and/or networkprotocol can possibly be secondary factors affecting the serviceprovider and/or network selection). A skilled artisan would appreciatethe fact that other methods of defining the user-defined criterion arewithin the scope and the spirit of the invention.

In one embodiment, the EIR terminal 100 can be configured to searchbeacon signals over a pre-defined frequency range (e.g., between 800 MHzand 5 GHz), and then select a wireless communication network and/orfrequency channel which would produce the optimal value of theuser-defined criterion.

In one embodiment, the value of the user-defined criterion can becalculated immediately before the EIR terminal 100 attempts to initiatea communication session, so that a wireless communication network and/ora wireless communication protocol can be chosen which would optimize theuser-defined criterion.

In another embodiment, the value of the user-defined criterion can becalculated periodically at established time intervals so that the EIRterminal 100 can change the wireless communication network and/or thewireless communication protocol between communication sessions or duringa communication session if a wireless communication network and/or awireless communication protocol is detected yielding a value of theuser-defined criterion which is closer to the optimum than that of thecurrent network or protocol. In yet another embodiment, the value of auser-defined criterion can be calculated responsive to a pre-definedevent (e.g., the signal quality falling below a pre-defined level, orthe signal quality exceeding a pre-defined threshold), so that the EIRterminal 100 can automatically (i.e., without user intervention) changethe wireless communication network and/or the wireless communicationprotocol between communication sessions or during a communicationsession. Thus, the EIR terminal 100 can always maintain a networkconnection irrespectively of changing external conditions (e.g., whenthe terminal is physically moved).

Form factors and housings for the EIR terminal 100 according to theinvention are now being described. The components of EIR terminal 100can be incorporated into a variety of different housings. As indicatedby the embodiment of FIGS. 6a and 6b , the components of FIG. 5 can beincorporated into a hand held housing 101. EIR terminal 100 of FIGS. 6aand 6b is in the form factor of a hand held portable data terminal. EIRterminal 100 as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b includes a keyboard 1090, adisplay 504 having an associated touch screen overlay, a card reader1348, and an imaging module 360 which includes the components of imagingassembly as described herein; namely, image sensor array incorporated onan image sensor IC chip. Imaging module 360 has an associated imagingaxis, a_(i). As indicated by the side view of FIG. 6b , the componentsof the block diagram of FIG. 5 may be supported within housing 101 on aplurality of circuit boards 1077. Imaging module 360 may include animage sensor array having color sensitive pixels as described in U.S.Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/687,606, filed Jun. 3, 2005,60/690,268, filed Jun. 14, 2005, 60/692,890, filed Jun. 22, 2005, and60/694,371, filed Jun. 27, 2005, all of which are entitled DigitalPicture Taking Optical Reader Having Hybrid Monochrome And Color ImageSensor, and all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7a-7c , the EIR terminal 100 is in the formof a transaction terminal which may be configured as a retail purchasetransaction terminal or as a price verifier. Housing 102 of thetransaction terminal shown in FIGS. 7a-7c is configured to be portableso that it can be moved from location to location and is furtherconfigured to be replaceably mounted on a fixed structure such as afixed structure of a cashier station or a fixed structure of the retailstore floor (e.g., a shelf, a column 264 best viewed in FIG. 8b ).Referring to bottom view of FIG. 7c , the housing 102 of the EIRterminal 100 has formations 268 facilitating the replaceable mounting ofEIR terminal 100 on a fixed structure. Referring now to FIG. 7b , EIRterminal 100 includes a display 504 having an associated touch screen504T, a card reader 1348, an imaging module 360, and a luminous shroud362. When light from the illumination block (not shown in FIG. 8)strikes luminous shroud 362, the shroud glows to attract attention tothe location of imaging assembly. In certain operating modes asindicated in FIG. 8c , the EIR terminal 100 in accordance with any ofFIGS. 7a-7c , displays on display 504 a PIN entry screen prompting acustomer to enter PIN information into touch screen 504T. In otheroperating modes, as indicated in FIG. 8d , the EIR terminal 100 displayson display 504 a signature prompt screen prompting a customer to entersignature information into the device with use of a stylus 505.

Referring to FIGS. 8a and 8b , various installation configurations forthe EIR terminal of FIGS. 7a-7c are shown. In the view of FIG. 8a , theEIR terminal 100 is installed as a retail purchase transaction terminalat a point of sale cashier station. In the setup of FIG. 8a , the EIRterminal 100 is configured as a retail purchase transaction terminal andis utilized to aid and facilitate retail transactions at a point ofsale. A customer may enter a credit card or a debit card into cardreader 1348 and retail purchase transaction terminal may transmit thecredit card information to credit/debit authorization network.

In the view of FIG. 8b , the EIR terminal 100 is configured as a priceverifier to aid customers in checking prices of products located on astore floor. EIR terminal 100 may be mounted on a shelf (not shown inFIG. 8b ) or on a column 254 or other fixed structure of the retailstore. EIR terminal 100 may decode bar code data from bar codes on storeproducts and transmit decoded out bar code messages to a store serverfor lookup of price information which is sent back from the store serverto terminal 100 for display on display 504.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to certain exemplary embodiments, it will be understoodby one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be affectedtherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by claims that can be supported by the written description anddrawings. Further, where exemplary embodiments are described withreference to a certain number of elements it will be understood that theexemplary embodiments can be practiced utilizing less than the certainnumber of elements.

A small sample of systems methods and apparatus that are describedherein is as follows:

A1. An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal comprising:

a microprocessor electrically coupled to a system bus;

a memory communicatively coupled to said microprocessor;

an encoded information reading (EIR) device selected from the groupconsisting of a bar code reading device, an RFID reading device, and acard reading device, said DR device configured to perform at least oneof outputting raw message data containing an encoded message andoutputting decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message; and

a wireless communication interface comprising a radio frequency frontend configured to perform at least one of receiving a first radio signaland transmitting a second radio signal, said radio frequency front endelectrically coupled to at least one of an analog-to-digital converter(ADC) electrically coupled to said system bus and a digital-to-analogconverter (DAC) electrically coupled to said system bus;

wherein said microprocessor is configured to execute at least one of abase-band encoder software program and a base-band decoder softwareprogram;

wherein said base-band encoder software program is configured to producea first encoded bit stream by performing at least one of the followingfunctions: source encoding of a first bit stream, encryption, channelencoding, multiplexing, modulation, frequency spreading, and mediaaccess control;

wherein said DAC is configured to output to said radio frequency frontend an analog signal corresponding to said first encoded bit stream;

wherein said ADC is configured to output a second encoded bit streamcorresponding to an analog signal produced by said radio frequency frontend; and

wherein said base-band decoder software program is configured to producea second bit stream corresponding to said second encoded bit stream byperforming at least one of the following functions: media accesscontrol, frequency de-spreading, de-modulation, de-multiplexing, channeldecoding, decryption, and source decoding.

A2. The EIR terminal of claim A1, wherein said EIR terminal is devoid ofdedicated hardware components configured to implement at least one ofthe following functions: source encoding of said first bit stream,encryption, channel encoding, multiplexing, modulation, frequencyspreading, media access control, frequency de-spreading, de-modulation,de-multiplexing, channel decoding, decryption, and source decoding.A3. The EIR terminal of claim A1, wherein said base-band encodersoftware program and said base-band decoder software program areimplemented as a single software program.A4. The EIR terminal of claim A1, wherein said base-band encodersoftware program is performed by at least one of a general purposemicroprocessor, a specialized microprocessor.A5. The EIR terminal of claim A1, wherein said base-band decodersoftware program is performed by at least one of a general purposemicroprocessor, a specialized microprocessor.A6. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further comprising a central processingunit (CPU);

wherein said base-band encoder software program is performed by at leastone of said CPU, a specialized microprocessor.

A7. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further comprising a central processingunit (CPU);

wherein said base-band decoder software program is performed by at leastone of said CPU, a specialized microprocessor.

A8. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further comprising a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol software program configured to optimize a valueof a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least oneof a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol,and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol.A9. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further comprising a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol software program configured to optimize a valueof a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least oneof a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol,and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol;

wherein said value of said user-defined criterion is calculated based onat least one of network status, communication quality, signal strength,service cost, bandwidth, a user preference, and communication channelthroughput.

A10. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further comprising a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol software program configured to optimize a valueof a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least oneof a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol,and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol;

wherein said value of said user-defined criterion is calculated as aweighted sum of components, at least one of said components representedby at least one of a network status, communication quality, signalstrength, service cost, bandwidth, a user preference, and communicationchannel throughput.

A11. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further comprising a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol software program configured to optimize a valueof a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least oneof a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol,and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol;

wherein said value of said user-defined criterion is calculated as aweighted sum of components, at least one of said components representedby a difference between an actual value and a desired value of at leastone of a network status, communication quality, signal strength, servicecost, bandwidth, and communication channel throughput.

A12. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further comprising a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol software program configured to optimize a valueof a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least oneof a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol,and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol;

wherein said value of said user-defined criterion is calculated as asquare root of a weighted sum of squares of components, at least one ofsaid components represented by at least one of a network status,communication quality, signal strength, service cost, bandwidth, a userpreference, and communication channel throughput.

A13. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further comprising a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol software program configured to optimize a valueof a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least oneof a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol,and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol;

wherein said value of said user-defined criterion is calculated as asquare root of a weighted sum of squares of components, at least one ofsaid components represented by a difference between an actual value anda desired value of at least one of network status, communicationquality, signal strength, service cost, bandwidth, a user preference,and communication channel throughput.

A14. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further comprising a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol software program configured to optimize a valueof a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least oneof a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol,and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol;

wherein said EIR terminal is configured to search beacon signals over apre-defined frequency range, and then select at least one of a wirelesscommunication network and frequency channel which optimizes saiduser-defined criterion.

A15. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further comprising a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol software program configured to optimize a valueof a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least oneof a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol,and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol;

wherein said EIR terminal is configured to evaluate said user-definedcriterion before attempting to initiate a communication session.

A16. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further comprising a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol software program configured to optimize a valueof a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least oneof a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol,and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol;

wherein said EIR terminal is configured to switch at least one of saidwireless communication network and said wireless communication protocolresponsive to evaluating said user-defined criterion.

A17. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further comprising a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol software program configured to optimize a valueof a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least oneof a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol,and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol;

wherein said EIR terminal is configured to evaluate said user-definedcriterion responsive to a pre-defined event.

A18. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further comprising a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol software program configured to optimize a valueof a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least oneof a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol,and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol;

wherein said EIR terminal is configured to periodically evaluate saiduser-defined criterion.

A19. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further configured to dynamicallyselect at least one of a wireless communication network, a wirelesscommunication protocol, and a parameter of a wireless communicationprotocol responsive to a user action.A20. The EIR terminal of claim A1 further configured to dynamicallyselect at least one of a wireless communication network, a wirelesscommunication protocol, and a parameter of a wireless communicationprotocol responsive to scanning a pre-defined bar code.B1. An encoded information reading terminal comprising:

a microprocessor electrically coupled to a system bus;

a memory communicatively coupled to said microprocessor;

an encoded information reading (EIR) device selected from the groupconsisting of a bar code reading device, an RFID reading device, and acard reading device, said EIR device configured to perform at least oneof outputting raw message data containing an encoded message andoutputting decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message; and

a wireless communication interface comprising an RF front end configuredto perform at least one of receiving a first radio signal andtransmitting a second radio signal, said RF front end electricallycoupled to at least one of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)electrically coupled to said system bus and a digital-to-analogconverter (DAC) electrically coupled to said system bus;

wherein said microprocessor is configured to execute at least one of abase-band encoder software program and a base-band decoder softwareprogram;

wherein said EIR terminal is configured to execute a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program configured optimize avalue of a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select atleast one of a wireless communication network, a wireless communicationprotocol, and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol.

B2. The EIR terminal of claim B1, wherein said base-band encodersoftware program and said base-band decoder software program areimplemented as a single software program.B3. The EIR terminal of claim B1, wherein said base-band encodersoftware program is performed by at least one of a general purposemicroprocessor, a specialized microprocessor.B4. The EIR terminal of claim B1, wherein said base-band decodersoftware program is performed by at least one of a general purposemicroprocessor, a specialized microprocessor.B5. The EIR terminal of claim B1 further comprising a central processingunit (CPU);

wherein said base-band encoder software program is performed by at leastone of said CPU, a specialized microprocessor.

B6. The EIR terminal of claim B1 further comprising a central processingunit (CPU);

wherein said base-band decoder software program is performed by at leastone of said CPU, a specialized microprocessor.

B7. The EIR terminal of claim B1, wherein said value of saiduser-defined criterion is calculated based on at least one of networkstatus, communication quality, signal strength, service cost, bandwidth,a user preference, and communication channel throughput.B8. The EIR terminal of claim B1, wherein said value of saiduser-defined criterion is calculated as a weighted sum of components, atleast one of said components represented by at least one of networkstatus, communication quality, signal strength, service cost, bandwidth,a user preference, and communication channel throughput.B9. The EIR terminal of claim B1, wherein said value of saiduser-defined criterion is calculated as a weighted sum of components, atleast one of said components represented by a difference between anactual value and a desired value of at least one of network status,communication quality, signal strength, service cost, bandwidth, andcommunication channel throughput.B10. The EIR terminal of claim B1, wherein said value of saiduser-defined criterion is calculated as a square root of a weighted sumof squares of components, at least one of said components represented byat least one of network status, communication quality, signal strength,service cost, bandwidth, a user preference, and communication channelthroughput.B11. The EIR terminal of claim B1, wherein said value of saiduser-defined criterion is calculated as a square root of a weighted sumof squares of components, at least one of said components represented bya difference between an actual value and a desired value of at least oneof network status, communication quality, signal strength, service cost,bandwidth, a user preference, and communication channel throughput.B12. The EIR terminal of claim B1, wherein said EIR terminal isconfigured to search beacon signals over a pre-defined frequency range,and then select at least one of a wireless communication network andfrequency channel which optimizes said user-defined criterion.B13. The EIR terminal of claim B1, wherein said EIR terminal isconfigured to evaluate said user-defined criterion before attempting toinitiate a communication session.B14. The EIR terminal of claim B1, wherein said EIR terminal isconfigured to switch at least one of said wireless communication networkand said wireless communication protocol responsive to evaluating saiduser-defined criterion.B15. The EIR terminal of claim B1, wherein said EIR terminal isconfigured to evaluate said user-defined criterion responsive to apre-defined event.B16. The EIR terminal of claim B1 further configured to periodicallyevaluate said user-defined criterion.B17. The EIR terminal of claim B1 further configured to dynamicallyselect at least one of a wireless communication network, a wirelesscommunication protocol, and a parameter of a wireless communicationprotocol responsive to a user action.B18. The EIR terminal of claim B1 further configured to dynamicallyselect at least one of a wireless communication network, a wirelesscommunication protocol, and a parameter of a wireless communicationprotocol responsive to scanning a pre-defined bar code.C1. An encoded information reading terminal comprising:

a microprocessor electrically coupled to a system bus;

a memory communicatively coupled to said microprocessor;

an encoded information reading (EIR) device selected from the groupconsisting of a bar code reading device, an RFID reading device, and acard reading device, said EIR device configured to perform at least oneof outputting raw message data containing an encoded message andoutputting decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message; and

a wireless communication interface comprising an RF front end configuredto perform at least one of receiving a first radio signal andtransmitting a second radio signal, said RF front end electricallycoupled to at least one of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)electrically coupled to said system bus and a digital-to-analogconverter (DAC) electrically coupled to said system bus;

wherein said microprocessor is configured to execute at least one of abase-band encoder software program and a base-band decoder softwareprogram;

wherein said EIR terminal is configured to dynamically select at leastone of a wireless communication network, a wireless communicationprotocol, and a parameter of a wireless communication protocolresponsive to at least one of a user action, scanning a pre-defined barcode.

C2. The EIR terminal of claim C1, wherein said base-band encodersoftware program is performed by at least one of a general purposemicroprocessor, a specialized microprocessor.C3. The EIR terminal of claim C1, wherein said base-band decodersoftware program is performed by at least one of a general purposemicroprocessor, a specialized microprocessor.C4. The EIR terminal of claim C1 further comprising a central processingunit (CPU);

wherein said base-band encoder software program is performed by at leastone of said CPU, a specialized microprocessor.

C5. The EIR terminal of claim C1 further comprising a central processingunit (CPU);

wherein said base-band decoder software program is performed by at leastone of said CPU, a specialized microprocessor.

D1. An encoded information reading terminal comprising:

a microprocessor electrically coupled to a system bus;

a memory communicatively coupled to said microprocessor;

an encoded information reading (EIR) device selected from the groupconsisting of a bar code reading device, an RFID reading device, and acard reading device, said EIR device configured to perform at least oneof outputting raw message data containing an encoded message andoutputting decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message; and

a wireless communication interface configured to support at least twowireless communication protocols;

wherein said EIR terminal is configured to execute a wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program configured optimize avalue of a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select atleast one of a wireless communication network, a wireless communicationprotocol, and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol.

D2. The EIR terminal of claim D1, wherein said wireless communicationinterface is implemented using a single multi-protocol chipset.D3. The EIR terminal of claim D1, wherein said wireless communicationinterface is implemented using two or more chipsets.D4. The EIR terminal of claim D1, wherein said value of saiduser-defined criterion is calculated based on at least one of networkstatus, communication quality, signal strength, service cost, bandwidth,a user preference, and communication channel throughput.D5. The EIR terminal of claim D1, wherein said value of saiduser-defined criterion is calculated as a weighted sum of components, atleast one of said components represented by at least one of networkstatus, communication quality, signal strength, service cost, bandwidth,a user preference, and communication channel throughput.D6. The EIR terminal of claim D1, wherein said value of saiduser-defined criterion is calculated as a weighted sum of components, atleast one of said components represented by a difference between anactual value and a desired value of at least one of network status,communication quality, signal strength, service cost, bandwidth, andcommunication channel throughput.D7. The EIR terminal of claim D1, wherein said value of saiduser-defined criterion is calculated as a square root of a weighted sumof squares of components, at least one of said components represented byat least one of network status, communication quality, signal strength,service cost, bandwidth, a user preference, and communication channelthroughput.D8. The EIR terminal of claim D1, wherein said value of saiduser-defined criterion is calculated as a square root of a weighted sumof squares of components, at least one of said components represented bya difference between an actual value and a desired value of at least oneof network status, communication quality, signal strength, service cost,bandwidth, a user preference, and communication channel throughput.D9. The EIR terminal of claim D1, wherein said EIR terminal isconfigured to search beacon signals over a pre-defined frequency range,and then select at least one of a wireless communication network andfrequency channel which optimizes said user-defined criterion.D10. The EIR terminal of claim D1, wherein said EIR terminal isconfigured to evaluate said user-defined criterion before attempting toinitiate a communication session.D11. The EIR terminal of claim D1, wherein said EIR terminal isconfigured to switch at least one of said wireless communication networkand said wireless communication protocol responsive to evaluating saiduser-defined criterion.D12. The EIR terminal of claim D1, wherein said EIR terminal isconfigured to evaluate said user-defined criterion responsive to apre-defined event.D13. The EIR terminal of claim D1 further configured to periodicallyevaluate said user-defined criterion.D14. The EIR terminal of claim D1 further configured to dynamicallyselect at least one of a wireless communication network, a wirelesscommunication protocol, and a parameter of a wireless communicationprotocol responsive to a user action.D15. The EIR terminal of claim D1 further configured to dynamicallyselect at least one of a wireless communication network, a wirelesscommunication protocol, and a parameter of a wireless communicationprotocol responsive to scanning a pre-defined bar code.E1. An encoded information reading terminal comprising:

a microprocessor electrically coupled to a system bus;

a memory communicatively coupled to said microprocessor;

an encoded information reading (EIR) device selected from the groupconsisting of a bar code reading device, an RFID reading device, and acard reading device, said EIR device configured to perform at least oneof outputting raw message data containing an encoded message andoutputting decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message; and

a wireless communication interface configured to support at least twowireless communication protocols;

wherein said EIR terminal is configured to dynamically select at leastone of a wireless communication network, a wireless communicationprotocol, and a parameter of a wireless communication protocolresponsive to at least one of a user action, scanning a pre-defined barcode.

E2. The EIR terminal of claim E1, wherein said wireless communicationinterface is implemented using a single multi-protocol chipset.E3. The EIR terminal of claim E1, wherein said wireless communicationinterface is implemented using two or more chipsets.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: electrically coupling an RF front endof a wireless communication interface of a terminal to at least one ofan analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a digital-to-analog converter(DAC), the RF front end configured to perform at least one of: receivinga first radio signal and transmitting a second radio signal; anddynamically selecting at least one of a wireless communication network,a wireless communication protocol, and a parameter of a wirelesscommunication protocol responsive to detecting a predefined user action.2. The method of claim 1, further comprising executing at least one of abase-band encoder software program or a base-band decoder softwareprogram.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the base-band encodersoftware program is executed by at least one of a general purposemicroprocessor or a specialized microprocessor.
 4. The method of claim2, wherein the base-band decoder software program is executed by atleast one of a general purpose microprocessor or a specializedmicroprocessor.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the base-band encodersoftware program is executed by at least one of a central processingunit (CPU) or a specialized microprocessor.
 6. The method of claim 2,wherein the base-band decoder software program is executed by at leastone of a central processing unit (CPU) or a specialized microprocessor.7. The method of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises one of a barcode reading device, an RFID reading device, and a card reading device.8. The method of claim 7, further comprising detecting the predefineduser action, wherein the predefined user action comprises at least oneof scanning a pre-defined bar code, scanning an RFID tag, and scanning acard.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the terminal is configured toperform at least one of outputting raw message data containing anencoded message and outputting decoded message data corresponding to anencoded message.
 10. A method comprising: providing a terminal and awireless communication interface configured to support at least twowireless communication protocols; detecting a user action; anddynamically selecting at least one of a wireless communication network,a wireless communication protocol, and a parameter of a wirelesscommunication protocol responsive to the user action.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the terminal is configured to perform at least one ofoutputting raw message data containing an encoded message and outputtingdecoded message data corresponding to an encoded message.
 12. A methodcomprising: electrically coupling an RF front end of a wirelesscommunication interface of a terminal to at least one of ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a digital-to-analog converter(DAC), the RF front end configured to perform at least one of: receivinga first radio signal and transmitting a second radio signal; andexecuting at least one of a base-band encoder software program or abase-band decoder software program, wherein the base-band encodersoftware program is configured to produce a first encoded bit stream byperforming at least one of the following functions: source encoding of afirst bit stream, encryption, channel encoding, multiplexing,modulation, frequency spreading, and media access control.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the DAC is configured to output an analogsignal corresponding to the first encoded bit stream.
 14. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the ADC is configured to output a second encoded bitstream corresponding to an analog signal produced by the wirelesscommunication interface.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein thebase-band decoder software program is configured to produce a second bitstream corresponding to the second encoded bit stream by performing atleast one of the following functions: media access control, frequencyde-spreading, de-modulation, de-multiplexing, channel decoding,decryption, or source decoding.
 16. A system comprising: amicroprocessor electrically coupled to a system bus; a wirelesscommunication interface configured to support at least two wirelesscommunication protocols; wherein said system is configured to execute awireless communication protocol selector software program, said wirelesscommunication protocol selector software program configured optimize avalue of a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select atleast one of a wireless communication network, a wireless communicationprotocol, and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol.
 17. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein said wireless communication interface isimplemented using one of (1) a single multi-protocol chipset or (2) twoor more chipsets.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein said value of saiduser-defined criterion is calculated based on at least one of networkstatus, communication quality, signal strength, service cost, bandwidth,a user preference, and communication channel throughput.
 19. The systemof claim 16, wherein said value of said user-defined criterion iscalculated as a weighted sum of components, at least one of saidcomponents represented by either: (A) at least one of network status,communication quality, signal strength, service cost, bandwidth, a userpreference, and communication channel throughput; or (B) a differencebetween an actual value and a desired value of at least one of networkstatus, communication quality, signal strength, service cost, bandwidth,and communication channel throughput.
 20. The system of claim 16,wherein said value of said user-defined criterion is calculated as asquare root of a weighted sum of squares of components, at least one ofsaid components represented by at least one of network status,communication quality, signal strength, service cost, bandwidth, a userpreference, and communication channel throughput.
 21. The system ofclaim 16, wherein said value of said user-defined criterion iscalculated as a square root of a weighted sum of squares of components,at least one of said components represented by a difference between anactual value and a desired value of at least one of network status,communication quality, signal strength, service cost, bandwidth, a userpreference, and communication channel throughput.
 22. The system ofclaim 16, wherein said system is configured to search beacon signalsover a pre-defined frequency range, and then select at least one of awireless communication network and frequency channel which optimizessaid user-defined criterion.
 23. The system of claim 16, wherein saidsystem is configured to evaluate said user-defined criterion beforeattempting to initiate a communication session.
 24. The system of claim16, wherein said system is configured to switch at least one of saidwireless communication network and said wireless communication protocolresponsive to evaluating said user-defined criterion.
 25. The system ofclaim 16, wherein said system is configured to evaluate saiduser-defined criterion responsive to a pre-defined event.
 26. The systemof claim 16 further configured to periodically evaluate saiduser-defined criterion.
 27. The system of claim 16 further configured todynamically select at least one of a wireless communication network, awireless communication protocol, and a parameter of a wirelesscommunication protocol responsive to a user action.
 28. The system ofclaim 16 further configured to dynamically select at least one of awireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol, and aparameter of a wireless communication protocol responsive to scanning apre-defined bar code.